Friedman & Simon - September 2019

The State of New York moved toward justice this August, vastly extending the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits against sexual abusers. Thanks to the Child Victims Act, accusers are now able to file suits until age 55. The law also created a one year “look-back window,”

that what happened wasn’t your fault. Your abuser deserves to bear 100% of the blame, guilt, and shame for their actions. You did not deserve to be hurt by them, and you do not deserve for their crime to define your sense of self. YOU CAN HEAL

A WINDOW OF HOPE

The effects of abuse can run deep. Many survivors struggle with intimacy, relationships, and trust. You may also suffer from low self-esteem because of the way you were made to feel. These struggles can seem insurmountable, but they are by no means permanent. Professional therapy and support groups have helped many survivors just like you overcome the scars of abuse. You deserve the same.

during which time expired cases can be reexamined. For survivors, this is an opportunity to finally hold their abusers, and the institutions that enabled them, accountable. But filing a suit and healing aren’t the same thing. There’s a reason these abuse cases, many of which happened when accusers were children, can take decades to surface. The experience often leaves long-lasting trauma, and confronting the memories of it can be incredibly painful — even when seeking justice. If you are a survivor of abuse, we’d like to offer the following messages of support. YOU AREN’T TO BLAME

YOU ARE POWERFUL

Make no mistake; grappling with the effects of abuse takes an immense amount of personal strength and courage — but you don’t have to go it alone. The following resources can help you take the next step in moving forward with your life. RESOURCES: • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE • Survivor Manual: SurvivorManual.com • NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault: SVFreeNyc.org/survivor- resources • Mental Health Service Locator: FindTreatment.samhsa.gov

Often, survivors of abuse feel guilty about the incident or blame themselves for it happening to them. If you feel this way, understand

Basil Berry Sorbet

SUDOKU

Inspired by Good Housekeeping

Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup fresh basil leaves • 6 cups frozen mixed berries • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve.

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